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AmeriCorps Members Collecting Food Donations During AmeriCorps Week

March 7, 2013AmeriCorps Members Collecting Food Donations During AmeriCorps Week

Volunteer Florida’s AmeriCorps programs are participating in the national celebration of AmeriCorps Week, March 9-17, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across Florida. AmeriCorps members are participating with “I CAN,” a food collection drive to benefit hungry families, in addition to other service projects across the state.

“We are proud to administer AmeriCorps for the State of Florida and grateful for the AmeriCorps members who are getting things done in our communities,” said Chester Spellman, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “We currently have 1,366 AmeriCorps members serving in programs across the state, and they are making a tremendous impact.”

Since 1994, more than 800,000 Americans across the country have given more than 1 billion hours of service through AmeriCorps. Every year, more than 75,000 AmeriCorps members meet pressing community needs across the country – strengthening education, assisting veterans and military families, providing disaster services, fostering economic opportunity, expanding health services and preserving the environment. Serving at more 15,000 locations, AmeriCorps members recruited and managed more than four million volunteers last year, boosting the impact of the nonprofit and faith-based organizations they serve.

“AmeriCorps members are improving the lives of millions of citizens and making a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps. “AmeriCorps Week is an opportunity to recognize their impact and thank them for their service. AmeriCorps members and the millions of volunteers they manage are an indispensable resource to our nation, and we are grateful for their dedicated service.”

AmeriCorps members typically remain actively engaged in their communities long after their service is complete. An AmeriCorps longitudinal study found that AmeriCorps alums are more attached to their communities, aware of community challenges, and significantly more likely to go into public service careers.

AmeriCorps Week is annual event designed to salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their service, thank AmeriCorps’ community partners, and recognize AmeriCorps’ impact on communities and on the lives of those who serve. Hundreds of events are taking place across the United States – service projects, recruitment fairs, school presentations, alumni gatherings, awards ceremonies, and more. For more information visit AmeriCorps.gov.